Packed To Set Up Shop In South Africa

Business This Week

PACKED TO SET UP SHOP IN SOUTH AFRICA

With the White House expected to lift sanctions against South Africa in July, U. S. businesses are scouting for potential deals. A team of executives from Digital Equipment recently visited Johannesburg to meet with political and business leaders, though company policy rules out doing business for now. The American Chamber of Commerce in Johannesburg also says that Apple Computer, H. J. Heinz, and other consumer-products companies have expressed interest in establishing operations.

Republican congressional staffers say President Bush will wait until after the African National Congress meeting on July 2 before he acts. The President is hoping that by then, Pretoria will have released all political prisoners. The ANC is expected to modify its opposition to foreign investment.EDITED BY HARRIS COLLINGWOOD